By John Dike, Osogbo
Tension is rising in Osun State as the local chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), rejected calls for striking workers to resume duties on Monday, October 6, 2025.
This countered a directive issued by a group which called itself “Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State”, which, on Thursday, ordered the immediate resumption of workers across all local government councils in the state after months of industrial action.
That group’s State Coordinator, Comrade Adedayo Adekunle, had urged workers to return to their duty posts, describing the prolonged strike action led by NULGE as “unjustifiable and harmful.”
However, in a strongly worded press briefing held in Osogbo on Friday, the State President of NULGE, the umbrella body for the striking workers, Comrade Kehinde Ogungbangbe, dismissed the resumption call as “dangerous” and politically motivated, warning that it could destabilize the existing peace in the state.
He condemned the “Concerned Local Government Workers” group, describing it as unregistered, illegitimate, and driven by malicious intent.
Also, he alleged that the group was being sponsored by elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to create confusion and undermine the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
According to Ogungbangbe, “These self-centered and parochial people are being paid for this demonic job.
“They are calling our responsible and well-informed members to resume work so as to be slaughtered. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
He accused the group of dragging civil servants into a political conflict, which he said could jeopardize the lives and careers of innocent workers.
Besides, he urged union members to ignore the resumption directive and stay away from work until further notice from the legitimate NULGE leadership.
The NULGE president further disclosed that the leaders of the “Concerned Workers” group were former union members who had been suspended indefinitely for anti-union activities.
He said that their renewed activism was driven by bitterness following their loss in the NULGE elections held on March 4, 2025.
While reaffirming the union’s non-partisan status, Ogungbangbe praised Governor Adeleke for his ongoing reforms and commitment to the welfare of civil servants and pensioners in the state.
His words, “They were silent for 12 years when the APC ruled this state — when workers endured half salaries and were denied promotions. Suddenly, they are ‘concerned’ Their hypocrisy is deafening.”
He urgent all local government workers not to yield to pressure or manipulation by political actors. He emphasized that any official resumption or screening must be sanctioned by the Osun State Local Government Service Commission.
“Workers united can never be defeated,” Ogungbangbe declared, calling for unity, vigilance, and patience among members as the union continues to defend their rights and welfare.
